BuzzFeed - WorldVisionNewshttp://buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews
BuzzFeed, Find Your New Favorite ThingenCopyright 2015 BuzzFeed, Inc.Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:07:27 -0400editor@buzzfeed.com (http://www.buzzfeed.com/about)info@buzzfeed.com (http://www.buzzfeed.com/about)BuzzFeedhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/static/images/public/rss/logo.pnghttp://buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews
5 Myths And Misconceptions Regarding Violence Against Children Worldwidehttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/5-myths-and-misconceptions-regarding-violence-agai-lyva?utm_term=4ldqpia
A new global survey reveals that people around the world think violence against children is a common, growing and under-reported problem, yet one that is still surrounded in misconception and misunderstanding.
“Violence against children is the most pervasive, dangerous, silent horror of our time,” said report lead Dr. Kirsty Nowlan, director of public policy for World Vision International. “It is shrouded in misunderstandings and misperceptions – and they’re holding back progress on this issue.”
Led by World Vision and Ipsos Reid, the report “Fearing Wrong” interviewed more than 11,000 people aged 16 and over from 28 countries around the world. Here are some of the myths and misconceptions revealed …

MYTH: Children are most at risk in public places or on public transportation.

The report says that immediate family members are the most common perpetrators of all forms of abuse, accounting for 34 per cent of reported cases where the perpetrator was known.

PHOTO: An aging Chinese bus carries families along the west coast of North Korea, providing rare public transportation in a country where internal movement is regulated and restricted. World Vision is in seven of the nine provinces of North Korea, working with communities to bring clean water, food security, and improved agricultural practices.

MYTH: In the past five years violence against children has increased.

The results are mixed, but some forms of violence are decreasing. Harmful traditional practices are declining; there are fewer child laborers than 12 years ago and the proportion of girls forced into early marriage is better than in the 1980s.

PHOTO: Shashida (center) lives in a Bangladeshi slum in a one-room house made from tin with a very low roof and a dirt floor. Married at 14, she is determined her own girls will not marry so young, "I hope to make my daughters educated to help them stand on their own feet," she says.

MYTH: Child labor is harmful but does not have a long-lasting impact.

According to the report, 79% of those surveyed believe child labor is harmful, but 28% of people do not believe that harm will have a long-lasting impact.

Experts say child labor affects a child’s long-term health and the development of their cognitive skills, damaging their educational ability and long-term prospects.

PHOTO: Children, mostly 5- to 15-years old, work in this garbage dump in the Philippines almost eight hours each day, collect recyclable materials behind a bulldozer. The minimum wage in the Philippines is now set at less than $6 per day, yet most of these children earn less than a tenth that for a full day's work. A World Vision project in this area is assisting nearly 1,000 children.

MYTH: Forced child marriage doesn’t have a long-lasting impact.

Girls who marry under the age of 15 are five times more likely to die during childbirth than those who marry in their 20s, and their education and literacy chances are lower, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

PHOTO: Geeta (her name has been changed to protect her identity) got married at the age of 15 into the same family as her older sister. "I was sent to my in-law’s place," Geeta says. "What I saw was very disturbing. My sister used to get beaten up often. It hurt me to see her that way. Every time they came to beat me, my sister shielded me. The man I was married to drank. He verbally abused and cursed me and my family," says she. Now Geeta is back home, happy that her parents will not send her back to her in-laws.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/5-myths-and-misconceptions-regarding-violence-agai-lyvaTue, 17 Feb 2015 19:23:38 -0500A new global survey reveals that people around the world think violence against children is a common, growing and under-reported problem, yet one that is still surrounded in misconception and misunderstanding.
“Violence against children is the most pervasive, dangerous, silent horror of our time,” said report lead Dr. Kirsty Nowlan, director of public policy for World Vision International. “It is shrouded in misunderstandings and misperceptions – and they’re holding back progress on this issue.”
Led by World Vision and Ipsos Reid, the report "Fearing Wrong" interviewed more than 11,000 people aged 16 and over from 28 countries around the world. Here are some of the myths and misconceptions revealed ...worldvisionnewsadult"Fearing Wrong:" Children Worldwide Talk About Their Fears Of Violencehttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/fearing-wrong-children-worldwide-talk-about-the-lyva?utm_term=4ldqpia
World Vision and Ipsos Reid did a global survey of attitudes toward violence against children. In this video, children from several countries share their own feelings about the violence they are confronted with as they seek to live their daily lives.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/fearing-wrong-children-worldwide-talk-about-the-lyvaMon, 16 Feb 2015 17:27:35 -0500World Vision and Ipsos Reid did a global survey of attitudes toward violence against children. In this video, children from several countries share their own feelings about the violence they are confronted with as they seek to live their daily lives.worldvisionnewsadultThe Top 7 Humanitarian Crises To Watch In 2015http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/the-top-7-humanitarian-crises-to-watch-in-2015-lyva?utm_term=4ldqpia
2014 was a particularly harsh year for children, says UNICEF, which noted in a recent report that nearly 230 million children live in countries affected by war. Here are the top crises of 2014 that we will continue to watch in 2015.

The United Nations appealed December 8 for $16.4 billion to reach 57 million people affected by war and disaster in 2014, reflecting record numbers of people in need worldwide.

Here's a look at seven crises from 2014 that we will continue to keep an eye on in 2015.

Syrian Refugee Crisis

Syrian refugee girls wash their hands, drink and collect water. World Vision installed water taps in Azraq refugee camp to provide clean and sanitary water to more than 10,000 resident refugees.

The nearly 4-year-old war in Syria has caused more than 3.3 million people — including about 1.7 million children — to flee the country as refugees. Within the country, the violence has displaced 7.6 million people, and two-thirds of the population of nearly 18 million need humanitarian assistance. Education, family, and community life are disrupted.

Children are particularly vulnerable, while living in insecure conditions such as a refugee camp or host neighborhood with little infrastructure, or within the country, where fighting continues.

There appears to be no end in sight.

Humanitarian agencies provide refugees with winterization help, including clothing, blankets, stoves, and oil for heating and cooking. But funding is drying up for a continued response through 2015. The U.N. and governments in the region are asking for $5 billion — the largest humanitarian appeal for a single response in history — to meet the immediate needs of displaced families and their hosts.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/the-top-7-humanitarian-crises-to-watch-in-2015-lyvaWed, 14 Jan 2015 19:27:42 -05002014 was a particularly harsh year for children, says UNICEF, which noted in a recent report that nearly 230 million children live in countries affected by war. Here are the top crises of 2014 that we will continue to watch in 2015.worldvisionnewsadultThe United Nations appealed December 8 for $16.4 billion to reach 57 million people affected by war and disaster in 2014, reflecting record numbers of people in need worldwide.
Here's a look at seven crises from 2014 that we will continue to keep an eye on in 2015.nonadult<i>Syrian refugee girls wash their hands, drink and collect water. World Vision installed water taps in Azraq refugee camp to provide clean and sanitary water to more than 10,000 resident refugees.</i>nonadultThe nearly 4-year-old war in Syria has caused more than 3.3 million people — including about 1.7 million children — to flee the country as refugees. Within the country, the violence has displaced 7.6 million people, and two-thirds of the population of nearly 18 million need humanitarian assistance. Education, family, and community life are disrupted.
Children are particularly vulnerable, while living in insecure conditions such as a refugee camp or host neighborhood with little infrastructure, or within the country, where fighting continues.
There appears to be no end in sight.
Humanitarian agencies provide refugees with winterization help, including clothing, blankets, stoves, and oil for heating and cooking. But funding is drying up for a continued response through 2015. The U.N. and governments in the region are asking for $5 billion — the largest humanitarian appeal for a single response in history — to meet the immediate needs of displaced families and their hosts.
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.worldvision.org/node/1197">How World Vision is helping</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://donate.worldvision.org/syrian-refugee-crisis-1">How you can help</a>nonadult<i>Adi Hassan cares for her five-month-old granddaughter, Marwa, in front of the space they share with another family in an abandoned vegetable market in Dahuk, Iraq.</i>nonadultFighting has spilled over from Syria and flared up internally, displacing more than 2 million people since January 2014. Northern Iraq already hosted more than 228,000 Syrian refugees. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates about 5.2 million people now need humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter, clean water, sanitation services, and education support.
As many as 600,000 people seeking shelter in mountainous areas of northern Iraq need help to weather the cold, snowy winter months.
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.worldvision.org/node/4921">How World Vision is helping</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://donate.worldvision.org/ways-to-give/by-category/disaster-relief/ebola-outbreak-in-west-africa">How you can help</a>nonadult<i>A World Vision burial team disinfects the body of an Ebola victim in Sierra Leone, while community members hold a ceremony to mourn their loved one in November. That month, World Vision teams in Sierra Leone provided more than 750 safe and dignified burials in response to the Ebola outbreak.</i>nonadultThe 2014 Ebola outbreak that hit West Africa is the worst since the disease was discovered in 1975. The World Health Organization's official death toll topped 6,388 on December 10 as governments and international aid agencies worked to control the spread of the virus. It's especially bad in Sierra Leone and Liberia, which have seen 87 percent of the cases and 77 percent of the deaths.
Aid agencies and governments have ramped up their coordination to contain the outbreak through efforts such as providing community awareness training and equipping medical teams to conduct safe and dignified burials.
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.worldvision.org/node/4958">How World Vision is helping</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://donate.worldvision.org/ways-to-give/by-category/disaster-relief/ebola-outbreak-in-west-africa">How you can help</a>nonadult<i>Humanitarian agencies responding to the crisis in South Sudan believe that as many as 2.5 million people will face severe food shortages in early 2015.</i>nonadultSince conflict broke out a year ago in South Sudan, the world's youngest country, 1.91 million people have fled their homes because of fighting. Many set up camp under the U.N.'s protection, dependent on aid from relief agencies. Their lives and prospects are limited.
Thousands of farming families missed the planting season or lost their livestock and now have no crops or income to hold them over until the next harvest. Hunger, malnutrition, and disease threaten their children's lives. Schools are occupied by armed forces and displaced families, not students.
Humanitarian agencies responding to the crisis believe as many as 2.5 million people will face severe food shortages in early 2015.
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.worldvision.org/node/3091">How World Vision is helping</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://donate.worldvision.org/ways-to-give/by-category/disaster-relief/south-sudan-disaster-relief-fund-3">How you can help</a>nonadult<i>World Vision staff screen and treat malnourished children in Somalia's Puntland region. An estimated 218,000 children are currently malnourished in Somalia.</i>nonadultDespite a slight increase in cereal crop production in 2014 in East Africa, more than 1 million people in Somalia's central and southern areas still need emergency food assistance, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization says.
Aid agencies there expect the food security situation to improve by March for some. But they are wary of the impact late seasonal floods could have on struggling families near the Shabelle and Juba Rivers.
Ongoing armed conflict and political insecurity have hindered efforts to help hungry families become more resilient to food shortages. However, some communities ravaged by the 2012 drought continue to make progress toward having enough to eat during lean times.
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://donate.worldvision.org/horn-of-africa-food-crisis-1">How you can help</a>nonadult<i>A young boy picks through garbage at the sprawling San Salvador garbage dump in El Salvador.</i>nonadultHundreds of thousands of families across Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras are feeling the effects of a prolonged drought. In some areas, 80 percent of farming families reported losing their entire crop. The U.N. humanitarian agency (OCHA) estimates 2.5 million people are food insecure in those countries heading into 2015.
Honduras and Guatemala lost up to three-quarters of their bean and maize crops. For El Salvador, it's the worst drought since 1977, OCHA reports. In eastern Guatemala's "dry corridor," one in four households suffers from malnutrition. This means children can't concentrate in school and lack the caloric fuel they need to grow and thrive.nonadult<i>The resilience of children in the middle of chaos is remarkable. More than 4,000 people took refuge at the airport of Bangui, the capital city of Central African Republic, in the midst of violence and chaos.</i>nonadultThe situation in CAR remains volatile as clashing groups continue violent attacks throughout the country of 4.6 million people. Conflict has displaced 430,000 people from their homes in the past year. Schools have closed, making children vulnerable to abuse and violence, including recruitment into the warring factions.
Now, 2.5 million people need immediate help such as protection, food, and access to health services.
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.worldvision.org/node/4261">How World Vision is helping</a> | <a rel="nofollow" href="http://donate.worldvision.org/central-african-republic-relief-fund-1">How you can help</a>nonadult30 Years Of Change After The Famine In Ethiopiahttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/30-years-of-change-after-the-1984-85-famine-in-ant-lyva?utm_term=4ldqpia
With natural disaster, conflict, and disease, there’s so much bad news about that we sometimes neglect to realize how far things have come. In 1984-85, over a million people in Ethiopia were devastated by a horrific famine. What has changed since then?

Famine, drought, and disease: A mother's worst nightmare

Now, a generation of children has recovered from the nightmare of famine

Ansha, playing with her youngest daughter, Maida. Ansha was just 10 years old when Ethiopia’s infamous 1984 famine swept Antsokia Valley. Suffering from malnutrition, she recovered following treatment at one of World Vision’s emergency feeding centers. Now the mother of four healthy children, Ansha sells sugarcane by the truckload.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/30-years-of-change-after-the-1984-85-famine-in-ant-lyvaTue, 21 Oct 2014 15:16:21 -0400With natural disaster, conflict, and disease, there&#39;s so much bad news about that we sometimes neglect to realize how far things have come. In 1984-85, over a million people in Ethiopia were devastated by a horrific famine. What has changed since then?worldvisionnewsadultWorld Vision Showcases Seven Summer Superheroeshttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/world-vision-showcases-seven-summer-superheroes-lyva
The summer blockbuster movie season is upon us with superheroes. In real life, real heroes work beyond the summer months, outside darkened movie theaters, avenging evil and righting what’s wrong. Today, we turn the spotlight on a few World Vision superheroes. To learn how to be a superhero in a child’s life, click here — and here. BY KARI COSTANZA.

THOR

Obed Byamugisha is armed with the mighty hammer of justice. Obed, gentle a as a dove and wise as a serpent, devised a program to prevent child sacrifice in Uganda. He comforts parents who have lost children to sacrifice, a practice becoming more common as people pay witch doctors for the body parts of children. They believe those parts — hearts, heads, and genitals — will heal them or bring them wealth. Obed’s strong faith helps his work that has him interacting with witch doctors. “Witchcraft doesn’t have any power over me,” says Obed, who is guided by the verse, "It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure" Psalm 18:32.

THE INVISIBLE WOMAN

Ritta Israt Jahan has the power to generate a protective force field over the children she serves. She teaches in a Child-Friendly Space in a slum in Jessore, Bangladesh. Bright posters adorn the walls, and balloons make it feel like every day is a birthday party. “These children are my life,” she says. While Ritta loves all the children at the Child-Friendly Space, her favorite, perhaps, is 6-year-old Nilufa. Nilufa’s life was spared after Ritta’s passionate plea against her parent’s earlier decision to terminate the pregnancy.

IRON MAN

Esteban Cuevas stays strong and battles on behalf of children in the Dominican Republic. Esteban rarely stops working in reaching out with God’s love to 5,000 sponsored children in his community. Esteban, 37, lives with his family near the border of Haiti, where many people are impoverished. Sixty percent of the families he serves don’t have water at home, and many do not have a bathroom. Esteban knows hardship. As a child, he worked 15-hour days selling produce in the Santo Domingo market. He attended school, and today he’s working toward a university degree in counseling — and inspiring youngsters.

WOLVERINE

Ming Chan’s has the power to regenerate and empower children in Cambodia. She was 15 when her family was part of a mass exodus from capital city Phnom Penh and forced at gunpoint to work as laborers in the countryside. “Whenever we wanted to take a rest and the group leader saw us, they would hit or kill us.” When the regime was ousted four years later, most of her family was dead, leaving her to care for her younger siblings. She joined World Vision in 2000 and began helping the children in her community. “Children were without hope,” she says. Ming Chan provided hope, organizing children into clubs. Today, the children thrive, and some attend college. “God has given me a lot of children.”

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/world-vision-showcases-seven-summer-superheroes-lyvaTue, 24 Jun 2014 19:07:32 -0400The summer blockbuster movie season is upon us with superheroes. In real life, real heroes work beyond the summer months, outside darkened movie theaters, avenging evil and righting what&rsquo;s wrong. Today, we turn the spotlight on a few World Vision superheroes. To learn how to be a superhero in a child&#39;s life, click <a href="http://donate.worldvision.org/product//2610189?campaign=1205153">here</a> &mdash; and <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/sponsor-child?CST=ALL&amp;campaign=1059472">here</a>. BY KARI COSTANZA.worldvisionnewsadultHow World Vision Donors Helped Change Lives Worldwide During 2013 (INFOGRAPHICS)http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/how-world-vision-donors-helped-change-lives-worldw-lyva
Millions of World Vision donors made a real and lasting difference in the fight against poverty during 2013. These infographics show how they did it.

Children's Lives Improved

The lives of an estimated 120 million children around the world were improved between 2010 and 2012 as a result of World Vision's work with children, communities, and local and international partners.

Food Aid Helped Save the Lives of Millions

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/how-world-vision-donors-helped-change-lives-worldw-lyvaThu, 05 Jun 2014 20:23:19 -0400Millions of World Vision donors made a real and lasting difference in the fight against poverty during 2013. These infographics show how they did it.worldvisionnewsadultThe lives of an estimated 120 million children around the world were improved between 2010 and 2012 as a result of World Vision&#39;s work with children, communities, and local and international partners.nonadultIn 2013, nearly 4.3 million children were supported in World Vision sponsorship programs in 57 countries.nonadultEleven million survivors of 89 major disasters worldwide received World Vision assistance in 2013.nonadult7.5 million people in 33 countries received aid in 2013 through World Vision food assistance programs.nonadultDuring 2013, nearly 175,000 children in 12 countries were treated by World Vision for acute malnutrition.nonadultWorld Vision supporters ensured that more than one million people gained sustainable access to clean water during 2013.nonadultWorld Vision supporters saw to it that over 1.5 million people gained access to improved sanitation, worldwide, in 2013.nonadultMore than one million small loans were made by World Vision to poor entrepreneurs in 2013, creating 1.2 million jobs and benefiting 2.8 million children.nonadultFinally, during 2013, millions of people in 34 countries were equipped by World Vision to advocate with their governments, leading to significant improvements in children&#39;s health and education.nonadultGenerous donors make the difference for millions of children, their families, and communities worldwide. Visit World Vision today!nonadultMillions Of People's Lives Are At Risk In South Sudan, The World's Newest Country (SLIDESHOW)http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/millions-of-peoples-lives-are-at-risk-in-south-su-lyva
As the conflict in South Sudan rages on, children’s lives hang in the balance. Since the violence began in December 2013, 1.3 million people have fled their homes, and almost four million people are facing severe food insecurity. These photos were taken by World Vision staff member Nadene Robertson in the Upper Nile region of the towns of Malakal and Rom.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/millions-of-peoples-lives-are-at-risk-in-south-su-lyvaTue, 27 May 2014 19:44:15 -0400As the conflict in South Sudan rages on, children&#39;s lives hang in the balance. Since the violence began in December 2013, 1.3 million people have fled their homes, and almost four million people are facing severe food insecurity. These photos were taken by World Vision staff member Nadene Robertson in the Upper Nile region of the towns of Malakal and Rom.worldvisionnewsadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultnonadultMalakal is the scene where some of the worst fighting has taken place, and was South Sudan's second city with 170,000 people. Today it is a completely destroyed ghost town.
Over 16,000 people take refuge at the UN base in Malakal where living conditions are dire. People sleep on top of rubbish piles, as it&#39;s too dangerous to remove their rubbish outside the base for risk of getting killed. Six latrines serve thousands of people with no light making it too dangerous for women to use the latrines at night. Fears of cholera outbreaks are increasing as the rainy season begins.
In the town of Rom, Upper Nile there are 28,000 women, children and elderly sleeping under trees. They have fled to Rom from Malakal city where there was serious fighting. Rom is peaceful but those who fled there have nothing and risk disease and starvation and cold.
Women and children sleep under open air in the driving rain. One mother pictured here says she has no breast milk to feed her baby. With no food she&#39;s eating leaves to survive.
Aid agencies including World Vision are warning millions are at risk of starvation and malnutrition across South Sudan. International governments meeting on Tuesday, May 20 in Oslo, Norway are an opportunity for funds to be pledged to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.nonadult“Most Likely To Succeed: World Vision's Class Of 2014" Slideshowhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/amost-likely-to-succeed-world-visions-class-of-lyva
Armed with degrees and certificates, graduates around the world are commemorating their academic achievements and marching into the future. But graduations aren’t complete without senior superlatives, so we’re celebrating the Class of 2014 with our own selections.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/amost-likely-to-succeed-world-visions-class-of-lyvaFri, 16 May 2014 14:02:41 -0400Armed with degrees and certificates, graduates around the world are commemorating their academic achievements and marching into the future. But graduations aren&rsquo;t complete without senior superlatives, so we&rsquo;re celebrating the Class of 2014 with our own selections.worldvisionnewsadultThe Zambia Project: Clean Water Changing Children's Lives Before Your Eyeshttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/the-zambia-project-clean-water-changing-children-lyva
World Vision’s “Zambia Project” video follows five children in Zambia as new clean water projects in their communities change their lives forever.
This video has received more than 510,000 views on Vimeo, and over 31,000 on YouTube.

The Zambia Project

I had the pleasure of shooting this piece for World Vision. To say it was an eye opening trip would be an understatement. As crazy as it is to imagine drinking contaminated water everyday, it's even crazier when you realize that so many people spend the majority of their time just looking for it.

World Vision is an amazing organization doing great things in Zambia and all over the world. To learn more about their effort to bring Zambia clean water, visit worldvisionwater.org.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/the-zambia-project-clean-water-changing-children-lyvaThu, 01 May 2014 20:35:21 -0400World Vision&#39;s "Zambia Project" video follows five children in Zambia as new clean water projects in their communities change their lives forever.
This video has received more than 510,000 views on Vimeo, and over 31,000 on YouTube.worldvisionnewsadultRefugee Children From South Sudan's Desperate, Violent Conflict Speak Outhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/refugee-children-from-south-sudans-desperate-vio-lyva
Listen to interviews of children who have become refugees from war-torn Malakal in South Sudan. They are now holed up in an overstuffed United Nations compound.

Listen to interviews of children who have become refugees from war-torn Malakal in South Sudan. They are now holed up in an overstuffed United Nations compound.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/refugee-children-from-south-sudans-desperate-vio-lyvaWed, 30 Apr 2014 20:14:10 -0400Listen to interviews of children who have become refugees from war-torn Malakal in South Sudan. They are now holed up in an overstuffed United Nations compound.worldvisionnewsadultSLIDESHOW: 5 Inspiring Stories Of Healing, 20 Years After The Rwanda Genocidehttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/slideshow-hope-and-healing-on-the-20th-anniversar-lyva
In 1994, Rwanda was torn apart by genocide as the world watched. Just two decades later, the country is a model of peace and progress. These stories show the heart behind that change — how the human spirit can overcome and forgive in ways most of us couldn’t imagine.

The world's first glimpse into the holocaust

An estimated 800,000 men, women and children were killed by Hutus because of they were from the Tutsi tribe. In many villages, neighbor killed neighbor, after decades of living in peace. Buildings like this church showed in graphic detail the scale and horrors of the massacre with hundreds of of jumbled bodies, belongings and pews. When the killings stopped after 100 days, people were left to pick up the pieces. PHOTO: John Schenk / World Vision

Remarkable stories of peace, forgiveness and grace emerging

20 years later, there are remarkable stories of peace, forgiveness and grace that are hard to comprehend. Here are a few of the most powerful and inspiring, all just from one small community. PHOTO: Jon Warren / World Vision

Rediscovering friendship

Andrew Birasa was able to reconcile with one-time childhood friend Callixte Karemangingo despite what happened in their adult years. Callixte was part of a group that killed Andrew’s wife’s entire family. Andrew implicated Callixte in the killings and sent him to prison. Yet as the community began to rebuild, again and again the wives of both men found themselves working together as part of the development efforts that carefully wove reconciliation into every activity. Their hearts began to soften toward one another because of the work they did with children. Today the families are best friends—as are their children. PHOTO: Jon Warren / World Vision

No longer alone

Daniel Safari, 21, was orphaned during the genocide. Growing up he felt isolated and cheated from family love. That is, until he became is part of a bread making group in southern Rwanda. The group, mostly orphans of the genocide, make bread together and raise pigs and goats for income. They have become like family through the project. PHOTO: Jon Warren / World Vision

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/slideshow-hope-and-healing-on-the-20th-anniversar-lyvaTue, 08 Apr 2014 15:40:38 -0400In 1994, Rwanda was torn apart by genocide as the world watched. Just two decades later, the country is a model of peace and progress. These stories show the heart behind that change -- how the human spirit can overcome and forgive in ways most of us couldn&#39;t imagine.worldvisionnewsadultChildren Of The Syria Conflicthttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/children-of-the-syria-conflict-lyva
Children who have escaped the conflict in Syria and now live in refugee camps in Jordan share their traumatic stories, in their own words.

As the conflict enters it's fourth year, Syrian refugee children speak about their experiences during the conflict and give a small glimpse at the scars left as a result.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/children-of-the-syria-conflict-lyvaThu, 06 Mar 2014 18:13:01 -0500Children who have escaped the conflict in Syria and now live in refugee camps in Jordan share their traumatic stories, in their own words.worldvisionnewsadultA Billion Liters Of Clean Water ... It Should Be Only The Beginninghttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/a-billion-liters-of-clean-water-it-should-be-o-lyva
A partnership between World Vision and Procter and Gamble (P&G) has resulted in 1 billion liters of clean drinking water shared with more than 6.5 million people in need around the world. But much more remains to be done. The U.S. Government must commit to the poor over politics to solve the global water crisis.

Allison Tummon Kamphuis (left) from Procter & Gamble and Dr. Greg Allgood (right) from World Vision join Sikira Ahmed and her son Failu to present the 1 billion liter of clean water from the World Vision/P&G partnership.

A pond is the water source for Sikira Ahmed, her husband Ahmed Abdulai and their sons – 5-year-old Rasheed and 6-month-old Failu.

"It's miraculous that the partnership between P&G and World Vision has now grown to the point that it's provided 1 billion liters of clean water reaching 6.5 million people," said Dr. Greg Allgood, Vice President of Water at World Vision.

"At P&G we are committed to making every day better for people around the world," said Allison Tummon Kamphuis, Leader of the P&G Children's Safe Drinking Water Program. "We are grateful for our partnership with World Vision, helping bring clean drinking water to millions of people with our P&G water purification packets in more than 34 countries. Together our work is propelling us closer to our goal to save one life every hour by 2020."

More than 100 million P&G Purifier of Water packets have been given to families throughout World Vision communities in 34 countries. Within 30 minutes the small packet transforms brown, dirty and dangerous water into clean and healthy water for drinking.

Through its "For Every Child" campaign, World Vision is investing $400 million over six years to address the global water crisis and reach 7.5 million people alone with safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

In just the last two years, World Vision has quadrupled its capacity to provide clean water in the developing world. Water is one critical element of World Vision's comprehensive, holistic development program.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/a-billion-liters-of-clean-water-it-should-be-o-lyvaWed, 05 Mar 2014 14:30:25 -0500A partnership between World Vision and Procter and Gamble (P&amp;G) has resulted in 1 billion liters of clean drinking water shared with more than 6.5 million people in need around the world. But much more remains to be done. The U.S. Government must commit to the poor over politics to solve the global water crisis.worldvisionnewsadultAllison Tummon Kamphuis (left) from Procter &amp; Gamble and Dr. Greg Allgood (right) from World Vision join Sikira Ahmed and her son Failu to present the 1 billion liter of clean water from the World Vision/P&amp;G partnership.nonadultA pond is the water source for Sikira Ahmed, her husband Ahmed Abdulai and their sons &ndash; 5-year-old Rasheed and 6-month-old Failu.
"It's miraculous that the partnership between <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pg.com/">P&amp;G</a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.WorldVision.org/">World Vision</a> has now grown to the point that it&#39;s provided 1 billion liters of clean water reaching 6.5 million people," said Dr. Greg Allgood, Vice President of Water at World Vision.
"At P&amp;G we are committed to making every day better for people around the world," said Allison Tummon Kamphuis, Leader of the P&amp;G Children&#39;s Safe Drinking Water Program. "We are grateful for our partnership with World Vision, helping bring clean drinking water to millions of people with our P&amp;G water purification packets in more than 34 countries. Together our work is propelling us closer to our goal to save one life every hour by 2020."
More than 100 million P&amp;G Purifier of Water packets have been given to families throughout World Vision communities in 34 countries. Within 30 minutes the small packet transforms brown, dirty and dangerous water into clean and healthy water for drinking.nonadultA pond is the usual water source is this community in Gberami, Ghana. P&amp;G Purifier of Water packets transform brown, dirty and dangerous water into clean and healthy water for drinking.nonadultThrough its <a rel="nofollow" href="http://wvcampaign.org/">"For Every Child" campaign</a>, World Vision is investing $400 million over six years to address the global water crisis and reach 7.5 million people alone with safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
In just the last two years, World Vision has quadrupled its capacity to provide clean water in the developing world. Water is one critical element of World Vision's comprehensive, holistic development program.nonadultThis is only source of water for this community in Ethiopia, potentially causing many water-born illnesses.nonadultThursday, March 13 we will urge the U.S. Government to improve its water and sanitation spending to reach countries that truly lack access to clean water and proper sanitation, rather than countries of political interest.
According to the U.S. State Department, the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.usaid.gov/">US Agency for International Development (USAID)</a> in fiscal year 2012 spent over 40 percent of funds designated for water and sanitation in countries where 80 percent or more of the population already had access to clean water and proper sanitation.
"The U.S. Government funds designated for water and sanitation is a miniscule portion of the overall foreign affairs budget, and even these funds are unfortunately falling victim to politics," said Lisa Bos, Global Health senior policy advisor at World Vision. "The U.S. has made great strides in improving access to clean water in the developing world that have greatly reduced preventable child deaths, but there are so many more lives that could be saved if water funds were used in countries that truly need it."
In efforts to eliminate this funding imbalance, hundreds of advocates will meet with policymakers on March 13 to call for their support of the <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2901">Water for the World Act (HR 2901)</a>. This bipartisan legislation would require the U.S. Government to spend existing money for clean water and sanitation services solely in the most poor and vulnerable countries. It would also allow greater transparency and accountability of U.S. taxpayer dollars invested in USAID water and sanitation support, and enable them to improve their long-term impact without spending any additional money.nonadult6 Emergencies To Follow Nowhttp://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/6-emergencies-to-follow-now-lyva
Ongoing conflict and increasingly frequent natural disasters worldwide affect millions of children. World Vision disaster relief experts identify six humanitarian emergencies going on right now.

Waddad, 10, and her large family fled war in Syria and now live in an unfinished university facility in Lebanon.

As Syria's civil war heads into its fourth year, the humanitarian situation grows more desperate. About 2.5 million people have fled as refugees to neighboring countries, placing unprecedented strain on host communities. Another 6.5 million people still in Syria need immediate humanitarian aid.

The United Nations Security Council approved on Feb. 22 a resolution to improve access to aid inside Syria.

School children in the Philippines participate in a Child-Friendly Spaces program, sponsored by World Vision. The shelters were erected after Typhoon Haiyan pulverized a series of classrooms in the small school.

More than 14 million people are still dealing with the catastrophic effects of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms on record to make landfall. Families in hardest hit areas have struggled for months to find enough clean water and food to get by. Millions rely on humanitarian aid as they try to rebuild their homes, livelihoods, and communities.

]]>http://www.buzzfeed.com/worldvisionnews/6-emergencies-to-follow-now-lyvaThu, 27 Feb 2014 17:44:31 -0500Ongoing conflict and increasingly frequent natural disasters worldwide affect millions of children. World Vision disaster relief experts identify six humanitarian emergencies going on right now.worldvisionnewsadult<i>Waddad, 10, and her large family fled war in Syria and now live in an unfinished university facility in Lebanon.</i>nonadultAs Syria's civil war heads into its fourth year, the humanitarian situation grows more desperate. About 2.5 million people have fled as refugees to neighboring countries, placing unprecedented strain on host communities. Another 6.5 million people still in Syria need immediate humanitarian aid.
The United Nations Security Council approved on Feb. 22 a resolution to improve access to aid inside Syria.nonadult<i>School children in the Philippines participate in a Child-Friendly Spaces program, sponsored by World Vision. The shelters were erected after Typhoon Haiyan pulverized a series of classrooms in the small school.</i>nonadultMore than 14 million people are still dealing with the catastrophic effects of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms on record to make landfall. Families in hardest hit areas have struggled for months to find enough clean water and food to get by. Millions rely on humanitarian aid as they try to rebuild their homes, livelihoods, and communities.
<i><a rel="nofollow" href="http://worldvisionmagazine.org/typhoon-haiyan">Learn more of how families are recovering and rebuilding</a></i>nonadultThousands have died and nearly 900,000 people have been displaced since fighting erupted Dec. 15 in the world's youngest nation. Clashes between South Sudan&#39;s army and fighters loyal to the former vice president broke a cease-fire signed in January and hinder aid agencies&#39; efforts to bring food and basic supplies to families in need.
<i>MORE STORIES: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://worldvisionmagazine.org/South%20Sudan">South Sudan crisis</a></i>nonadultThousands of people have been killed and about 700,000 have been uprooted as intense sectarian violence engulfed the country of about 4.6 million. Security has generally improved in recent weeks, according to a Reuters report. But the situation remains precarious as more than half the country's population needs humanitarian assistance.nonadultDecades of armed conflict have displaced 2.9 million people. About 6.7 million need assistance now. Unrest in Central African Republic has forced about 60,000 refugees into northwestern DRC. Violence in Katanga province, to the southeast, displaced about 409,000 people in recent months.
In the east, dozens of rebel groups fight for control over mineral-rich land or political clout. The surrender in November of the M23 rebel group, near the country's borders with Rwanda and Uganda, triggered a military campaign to quell further violence in the region.
DRC ranks last out of 186 countries on the Human Development Index.
http://worldvisionmagazine.org/story/6-emergencies-follow-nownonadultMore than 3 million Malians may run out of food in the coming months as a result of below-average harvests and the lingering effects of conflict. About 800,000 people need food assistance now, say World Vision and other agencies helping communities deal with lack of food supplies there.
This represents a larger struggle throughout West Africa, where conflict, the third drought in a decade, and political instability hinder millions of families' ability to get back on their feet.
<i><a rel="nofollow" href="http://worldvisionmagazine.org/mali">Follow: World Vision&#39;s response to the food crisis</a></i>nonadult